Townhouse?

Well, we haven't found our dream house down here in Oregon but with school starting in a few weeks we really need a place to live close to Geary's work. We were hesitant to look at rentals because we are really tired of renting, for one, and also most places require a one year lease and the thought of having to live in another apartment for a whole year is just really discouraging.

But we have found a townhouse in Newberg that might work for us. The lease is only for 6 months and the owner seems really flexible and helpful. We've driven by the outside and it looks pretty nice. Once the current tenents move out we'll be able to get a look at the inside. If we like it, we'll move in around August 15 and continue our house hunt from there.

Tagged

I have been tagged to share 8 facts or habits about myself…..so here goes! The rules: Each player lists 8 little known facts/habits about themselves.The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habitsare listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blogencourages all readers to volunteer themselves for this meme and leave a comment here so I know where to go to read your little known facts.

1. I was a fingernail biter until Tobin was born. Then all those post-partum hormones (and pre-natal vitamins) made my nails so strong and beautiful that I instantly stopped. This has resulted in my scratching my son's face a couple of times while nursing--oopsie!

2. I love doing people's hair. When I was a camp counselor I got weeks of sheer pleasure just braiding my campers' hair. I think it also really helped me get to know them better because we were each others captive audiences. Also, it is a pretty intimate thing to touch someone's head.

3. I am not a fan of open floor plans. I've been watching those HGTV house flipping shows and everyone wants to tear down the walls between the kitchen and the living room and dining room. No way, that is not for me. I like my spaces to be separate and well defined. Plus, it's really nice to close the door on the messy kitchen sometimes, you know?

4. I like fruity or spicey desserts more than chocolate desserts. Thankfully, my chocoholic mother-in-law loves me despite this serious character flaw. Oh well, more chocolate for her! Pass the berry cobbler, please!

5. I get annoyed when I'm with people who circle the parking lot multiple times looking for a "closer spot." We have legs! Just park way over there and we can walk!

6. I like the PBS cartoon "Arthur". It's so smart and does a great job at subtle parody and satire. Other cartoons I have liked include "Recess", "Pepper Ann", and "Filmore".

7. I really miss playing iSketch. It's an online pictionary game that I enjoy so much that I bought a computer drawing tablet just to help me play better. My handle on iSketch is "zestychicken". I'm looking forward to settling in our new place and getting our computer up and running so I can play again.

8. I am a big fan of the bohemian look--long flowy skirts, head wraps, etc. I am really trying to incorporate some of this into my wardrobe but sometimes I get kind of insecure about it and think I look too much like a fortune teller.

Your turn! I would really love to read 8 facts or habits about you. Just leave a comment here and I'll read your blog as soon as possible! Or, if you want to participate but don't have a blog, just email me!

The Very End

I finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows last night. It was excellent. Although I was feeling sad about the end of the septology, I now feel satisfied, as if I have just finished an amazing meal. I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't read the book, yet. But I just have to say, Snape--I knew it!

Six Years

Who's Who

Jeana: Uh oh...
Geary: What happened?
Jeana: It's Toby. Ugh...major spit-up.
Mary: Here's a napkin.
Noah: Who's Major?

Mistaken Identity

While we were in Moscow I took the boys to a playground. There must have been a playgroup meeting there because there was a neat huddle of mommies around the benches and tons of kids climbing all over the equipment. One little boy was whining quite loudly and I heard his mother say, "Austin, why don't you go play over there with Luke." So Austin headed over to where Noah and another little boy were digging in the sand.

Soon the three of them started a game of chase and Austin shouted gleefully, "I'm gonna get you, Luke!" They played like this for a while until the other little boy left and Austin said, "Luke, wanna play in the slide?" He continued to call Noah "Luke" until finally Noah lowered his eyebrows and said, "My name is Noah."

Austin dropped jaw, threw his hands in the air, whipped around to look at his mom and exclaimed, "Well, then who's Luke?"

On the road again

Last Friday we drove from Moscow, ID down to McCall, ID where our family reunion is going to take place. It was 115 degrees for part of the drive down and at one point it started to rain. I stuck my hand out the window and the rain water was hot!

The past few days have been in the 90s and we've been having a great time hanging out with Geary's cousin Eric. We've gone to the beach, the pool, played PlayStation, and some Noah invented games in the condo. Fun times!

Way to go, Idaho!

Two adults
One preschooler
One baby
Four suitcases
Three totebags
Two backpacks
One portable crib
One sleeping bag
and much, much more
All packed into one Honda Accord
For eleven hours.

There was no crying (except from the baby and only when he was notifying us of his hunger)
And no whining.
Only sleeping, silly songs,
And one movie on the portable DVD player.

We saw trains
Farms
Cows
Llamas
Dams
Islands
Greek Graffiti
Beautiful groves of poplar trees
and one very cool dust tornado.

There were stops.

Multnomah Falls gave us a bathroom break (and a fun experience running under the bridge while the train was crossing--LOUD!)
Hood River gave us lunch
Arlington gave us ice cream and a chance to get all the wiggles out at Earl Snell Memorial Park (what a name!)
Kennewick gave us gasoline, cold drinks, and new reading materials (how is that we've never heard of Hastings before!?! It's awesome!)
Colefax gave us dinner.

And now we are waking up in a Best Western in Moscow, Idaho. It was a great family roadtrip.

Still Looking

We've had a hard week of househunting and to be honest, we're a little discouraged. But we're trying to keep our spirits high and we're praying that God leads us to the exact right house for our family. On Sunday we get to take off for our vacation and family reunion in Idaho. It will be nice to just relax and not have to think about houses and mortgages and stuff for a couple of weeks.

The boys are doing great and I have a bunch of cute pictures to post once I get them downloaded from my camera. More updates soon!